This Book illustrates the actual status that Hadīth, i.e. the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad , occupied in the eyes of Muslims during the early days of Islam (up to 150 A.H.).
The study consists of an introduction, two chapters and a conclusion. The first chapter examines a recent western approach to the subject and illustrates the idea of the Prophet Muhammad  amongst his people and the nature of his sayings and deeds. It also points out the motives and the objectives behind the considerable interest of the early people in Hadith.
The second chapter deals with the question of the beginning of the recognition of Hadīth as a basic source of guidance, addressing this issue in the light of the Quran, the Hadīth and statements of the early scholars who died before 150 A.H. and refuting some arguments adduced by those who belief in the delay of the adoption of the Sunnah, as a basic source of guidance, until the time of al-Imām al-Shāfi‘ī.